Tropa in WJT Camp Altenberg

The World Youth Day Spirit lives on...

Tropa ng Kabataang Pinoy sa Deutschland (Tropa) went to Altenberger Dom for an alternative World Youth Day (WYD) celebration and joined the 350,000 pilgrims in Sydney in celebrating WYD08. It was a weekend of witnessing the spirit of the WYD (still) burning in the hearts of the youth in Germany.

Right before we met that Saturday (09.07.2008), the rain poured. It reminded me of the saying, "When it rains, it pours." Just a day before that, I have spoken to Fr. Silvio Vallecoccia , Jugendseelsorge for Foreign Mission in the Archdiocese of Cologne, and he has arranged our participation in Altenberg. He has told me that our entrance fee has already been taken cared of. The blessing had indeed poured!

Most of the participants showed up early at the Parkplatz Regal'sche Wiese, Bad Godesberg with all the excitement and the memories of WYD Cologne 05. On the way to Altenberg, we started the journey with a prayer and later on mingled with one another, sang songs while one is playing the guitar, shared experiences from the previous WYD. We were all looking forward to that weekend.

As the group reached its destination and got off the bus, a volunteer warmly welcomed us. One volunteer with a walkie-talkie was even overheard telling a colleague; "Die Filipinos sind da!" Yes, our arrival was expected. On the Registration Area, they have given us armbands, as our day ticket, and a bag with a songbook and larnyard as souvenirs.

Shortly after, we were also welcomed by Fr. Silvio. He then happily led us in hall were the other youth were also sleeping explaining that this was a better option since camping outside could get too cold. He already mentioned this to me on our previous telephone conversation. On top of that he also gave our youngest member, Bryce, aged 11 months, a warm and cozy room with bed for the night. Fr. Jun was very glad to know that the Tropa was very well treated as he came with KFC for our dinner.

Before the Vigil that night, there was a party with good music, food, drinks and new friends. Indeed a WYD feeling and it even reminded me of our Oyak nights at Taizé, France. Oliver and Denise, 17 and 20 respectively, told us that their moms just persuaded them to go with Tropa but Denise, with a smile, told us; "I'm glad I joined." It was indeed an enjoyable and fun night.

The Vigil started at 23.30 inside the gothic-styled Altenberger Dom. The pillars inside the church were illuminated in blue, exuding tranquility. The altar was also illuminated in blue and the Madonna and Child at the center in yellow. The participants were singing and praying as we watched a recorded video of the vigil in Sydney. Afterwhich, we all lighted our candles and after a prayer in silence, we all went to the altar and offered the candles much like the celebration in Sydney. The vigil ended at 1 o'clock in the morning and we took a break.

At 2 o'clock in the morning, carrying our ISO mat and sleeping bags, we went again inside the church for the live telecast of the final mass in Sydney. Inside the church, illuminated then in yellow, we all joined the pilgrims in Sydney and the world in celebrating the mass with Pope Benedikt XVI. The sleeping bags, ISO matte, warm tea on the church side entrance and most of all the atmosphere of faithfulness kept us warm from the cool temperature of the morning. It was a solemn and meaningful celebration. Robert, 16, shared that he was able to stay awake for the whole mass without falling asleep. It was almost six in the morning when the celebration ended and I believe that staying awake during the mass has blessed each one of us present there.

With roughly an hour of sleep, we all woke up, fixed our things and went to get breakfast. We all shared the table and everybody seemed to have slept well albeit short, while still having some reserved energy for laughter and fun. On the way home, sleeping on our seats in the bus, one can feel the contentment of having participated in the celebration, feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit and the Tropa has become witnesses once more of God's power.

Musical Sharing of Shalom

The Shalom International Catholic Charismatic Foundation e.V. celebrated their 14th anniversary with a gathering of different communities in songs and dances.

The Tropa was of course invited and were the first to perform. The first was a dance number “Shout for Joy” of Gary Valenciano and the song number “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever” from the Children’s Gospel collection.

About 20 groups performed complemented by PowerPoint presentations so that the people can join in the singing and dancing. Food was provided by Shalom for the participants and guests.

Congratulations to Shalom for your 14th anniversary and may your community continue to grow in the wisdom and love of God.

Tropa at Thomas More Community

On 4 May 2008, the Tropa sang at the mass of the Thomas More Community in the Heilig Kreuz Church in Plittersdorf. It is for the benefit of Tuloy Foundation Inc., a street children project of the Don Bosco Society in Manila. We would like to thank the generosity of the people in the community.

The Thomas More Community is an english-speaking group that serviced American Embassy and the diplomatic community for almost half a decade. Following the move of the Embassy in Berlin however, the United Nations staff is now active including the members of multinational corporations, students from Bonn University and many local German people within the vicinity of the Church. For more info, you can visit their web-site: www.stmbonn.de

Healing miracle in Sankt Augustin

Fr. Fernando Suarez CC, was born in Batangas in 1967. Early in his life, around the age of 16, God had begun using him in a powerful way as he reached out to people who were in need. To date, Fr. Fernando has prayed with literally thousands of people in need of healing, with much success for those with faith.

Following the successful Healing Miracle in Berlin last year, Fr. Fernando Suarez came back in Germany, this time in Sankt Augustin last 13 to 14 May to reach out to Filipinos in the area.

The Healing Miracle took place in the Oberkirche of the Steyler Missionare and over 2,000 people came to witness and be healed. Right before the eyes of everyone, people consigned to wheelchairs could walk, the deaf could hear, eyesights were restored and peace was found in minds and hearts full of turmoil.

His miracle also manifested itself in the camaraderie of the volunteers that helped enormously in organising the event. The different groups literally melted into one to serve the Lord and with hearts full of joy, became foremost witnesses of the healing power of God through Fr. Fernando. It was the vision of Fr. Jun came into being, bridges everywhere and walls were non-existent.

Fr. Fernando and Fr. Jeffrey will come back to Europe next year, sometime July, this time in Belgium. Check out bahaykubostrasse.com from time to time for more information.

(The organisers with Fr. Fernando Suarez in the Steyler Missionare)

When you're sixty Jun!

On Saturday, 31 May 2008, Fr. Tranquilino "Jun" de Ocampo celebrated his 60th Birthday at the St. Winfried Church in Bonn. Attended by the different communities in the Archdiocese of Cologne where Fr. Jun services regularly, it was an event to remember.

The celebration started with a Thanksgiving Mass concelebrated with Fr. Bobby Ebisa, General Manager for Asia of Radio Veritas, who also gave the sermon and who came just for the birthday of Fr. Jun as well as Fr. Innocence from Tanzania who is doing his doctorate and is Acting Chaplain at the Sankt Johann Krankenhaus in Sieglar. The community was led into singing by the “impromptu” community choir led by Sis. Vita Auxilian with Bro. Manny Alejado at the guitar.

Afterwards, the guests were welcomed for a late lunch-early dinner at the church hall. For the programme moderated by Sis. Mina Kraemer and Sis. Linda Stein, the different groups prepared various performances from dances to songs, from declamations to playacting to Fr. Jun's delight. Below are the enthusiastic participants of the event:

Bergheim:
Presentation of gift and declamation by Bro. Romy Idago

Cologne:
Banduria Filipina
Two song numbers from Sis. Cecille
Pandanggo sa Ilaw with Sis. Collin and co.

Dusseldorf:
Alpha group – Japanese dance, 3-tenors mimic and a song number
Omega group – choir singing “Oh Happy Day”
The Loved Flock – Dance number and a song number with live guitar

Gummersbach:
Specially composed Litany for Fr. Jun
Song number “When we all get together in the Lord”

Hennef:
Muslim dance & Filipino folk dance
Flamenco solo dance number by Sis. Mina Kraemer

Leverkusen:
Mayon Cultural Dance group: Filipino folk dance and mimic number
Mönchengladbach:
Jesus Christ Superstar dance number

Bonn:
Couples for Christ: “Walk with faith” number
Shalom Charismatic Community: song number
Duet of Sis. Amy Huetwohl and Sis. Vita Auxilian
Tropa: Papaya Dance and Otso-otso remix dance
Bridges Choir: Special song number with the medley of Fr. Jun’s favorite songs

The celebration was also peppered with slideshows on the life of the beloved priest, which you can see below

FPJ through the years




Priesthood

Before the programme ended, Fr. Jun thanked all the people who made the day a special one for him particularly to Sis. Mina Kraemer who organized and spearheaded the party. Prior to the event, he requested that instead of material gifts for him, a heartfelt donation should instead be given to the orphanage "Tahanan ng Pagmamahal - Children's Home Inc." in Pasig which he established together with some other friends. So he showed the photos of the children in the orphanage whom he now considers his children, his legacy.

To you Fr. Jun, we salute you for building bridges within the community to make us stronger and one in the love of Jesus Christ. May he continue to bless you with good health and good appetite! And remember, we will still need you, we will still feed you, when you’re sixty-four. We love you very much! Amen.

Here is the litany that the group from Gummersback prepared:

Sie hören die Litanei zum 60 Jahrestag der Geburt von Vater Tranquilino de Ocampo, Jr. Zu Deinem heutigen Feste wünschen wir Dir von Herzen das Beste. Es sind gekommen Freunde und liebe Gäste. Zum Feiern haben scheinbar alle Zeit, drum sei gepriesen die Gastlichkeit.

Priester: Unser liebes Geburtstagskind
Nonnen: Wir grüßen Dich.

Priester: Liebe Gäste
Nonnen: Wir grüßen Euch

Priester: Die verschiedene Phil. Gemeinde
Nonnen: Wir grüßen Euch

Priester: Unser Fr. Jun ist jetzt 60 Jahre alt
Nonnen: Das wissen wir genau

Priester: Er sieht aber viel junger aus
Nonnen: Das sehen wir auch

Priester: Vater Jun liebt das Feinste und das Beste
Nonnen: Darum sind wir seine Gäste

Priester: Er ist immer hilfsbereit, möge er noch lange so bleiben
Nonnen: Das wünschen wir

Priester: Vater Jun hat auch mehrere Hobbies
Nonnen: Das haben wir gehört

Priester: Warum fährt der Vater Jun nach Gummersbach auch wenn es kein Gottesdienst gibt?
Nonnen: Damit Er Angeln kann

Priester: Warum fährt der Vater Jun selber nicht wenn er eingeladen ist?
Nonnen: Damit Er deutsches Bier genießen kann

Priester: Was darf Vater Jun auf keinen Fall beim Fahren fehlen?
Nonnen: Das Navigationsgerät

Priester: Was ist Vater Jun´s lieblingswort
Nonnen: Kostenlos

Priester: Wer nimmt Vater Jun gerne wenn er eingeladen ist?
Nonnen: Gary und Vita

Priester: Predigen ist sein Leidenschaft
Nonnen: Wie schon

Priester: Was ist sein fester Glaube?
Nonnen: Gott ist gut

Priester: Zum Schluß bitte wir Dich unser loses Maul zu verzeihen
Nonnen: Damit wir zur nächsten Feier wieder eingeladen werden

Priester: Wir wünschen dir viele weitere schöne Jahre bei bester Gesundheit
Nonnen: Bleib wie du bist

Priester: Diese Wünsche sollen Dich begleiten bis zur nächsten Einladung
Nonnen: Ha-ha-halleluia!!!
Priester: AMEN.

FKP 2007

FKP 2007 or the Fiesta ng Kabataang Pinoy 2007 was a fund-raising activity of the TROPA for the participation to the World Youth Day 2008. It is also envisaged to assist CRIBS Philippines, an organisation geared towards the rehabilitation of young female survivors of sexual abuse. Incidentally, these young women are the modern-day Laura of the play "Landas ng Liwanag", another project of the Tropa.

From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to thank all the communities and individuals who participated and contributed in this endeavor. Without your “bayanihan spirit” we would not be able to make this event a success. May God continue to bless your hearts with generosity and contentment. Mabuhay ang Pinoy!

To browse on the stories, here are the newsletter for the Fiesta ng Kabataang Pinoy: FKP 2005 or FKP 2007 and the teaser trailer below.

Easter Bingo atbp.

Thanks to the generosity of different families and individuals in the Filipino community, the Easter Bingo atbp was a success! Held last 23 March in the Hall of St. Winfried, the event started from 3:00 p.m. and lasted until 9:00 p.m.

The grand prize of the Bingo, a Toshiba Portable DVD was won by Maribel Barrientos. Other prizes were Phillips Senseo Coffee Machine and an iPod shuffle to name a few. The event also included a Karaoke contest as well as Easter Egg Hunt and Egg Painting for the kids. Hosted by Ays Espiritu and Paul Jimenez while the other Tropa members assisted the bingo social as everyone were dancing to the hits from the 70s to the present. They even got a tip for their dancing! Saya talaga!

Not only goods were donated but different families also contributed food that were sold during the event. We would therefore like to thank the following people for their support: Liberty Tanangco, Lando Velasco, Marites Gimenes, Socky Manguiat, Auxilian Family, Minossi Family, Manjares Family, Sandoval Family, Amatorio Family, Rennert Family, Juliet Barretto, Alma Bautista, Amy Huetwohl, Susan Schroeder, Evelyn Muschen, Pachie Ramirez, Jeanette Rempola-Hodes, Lisa Andres, Nessie Solon, Jovie Hitzmann, Ed Andres, Maribel Barrientos, Madi Roncal and Nina Jimenez.

The proceeds will go to the Tropa fund for the World Youth Day 2008 alternate celebration in Altenberg, the Tuloy Foundation Inc. project of Don Bosco on street children and for the aid to the Filipino community funds.

FIESTA NG KABATAANG PINOY 2007

Hi guys, finally re-activating this blog for your information. We've done a lot of activities the past few months but there were no update on the web-site that is underconstruction for the moment but will be available soon. Meanwhile, we will use the blog to exchange infos until the main site is active.

This is inform you that the Fiesta ng Kabataang Pinoy 2007 will be on 16 June 2007, Saturday in Freilichttheater of the Rheinauenpark in Bonn. As before, we will have the Santacruzan, Living Rosary, Holy Mass (anticipated) and a variety show ala Eat Bulaga or ASAP which includes Little Miss Philippines 2007.

As you know, this is a fund raising activity to help us attend the World Youth Day 2008 celebration is Sydney, Australia! Isn't that awesome? Therefore, let's ask for God's intercession to make this dream come true and be real pilgrims of Christ.

So tune in to this blog and see more infos posted.

MABUHAY ANG TROPA!

LANDAS NG LIWANAG

In celebration of the upcoming feast of our first Filipino saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Tropa ng Kabataang Pinoy sa Deutschland in cooperation with the Filipino Community in the Archdiocese of Cologne presents...


LANDAS NG LIWANAG
- A San Lorenzo Ruiz Play -

8 September 2006, Friday
Matinee show - 5€

9 September 2006, Saturday
Regular show - 10€

7:00 p.m.
Gesamtschule Bad Godesberg
Hindenburgallee 50, 53173 Bonn
(for directions click here)

For tickets or inquiries, please contact Liberty: 0179 924 5231
or any of the Tropa members.